How to check if a text message is spam or legit - and the free Android tool I rely on

Source: ZDNet

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Distinguishing spam messages from real ones can be tricky.
• Android has a scam‑fighting AI trick up its sleeve.
• Circle to Search is available on Pixel and Galaxy phones.

I receive more spam and scam messages on my phone each day than legitimate messages from friends and family. When I get these messages I report them and block the sender, but sometimes the messages are so carefully crafted that it isn’t easy to tell if they’re a scam.

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My general rule is that if I don’t recognize the number, it’s probably a scam, so I report it. Occasionally a message’s legitimacy eludes me, and responding to the wrong one could land you in trouble. In those cases I turn to Android.

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What is Circle to Search?

Android’s Circle to Search feature is best known for letting you find items in images, but it also has a security function: it can read an SMS or DM, analyze its content with on‑board AI, and alert you if the message appears to be a scam.

Also: How to use Circle to Search on Android (and what models support it now)

How to enable Circle to Search

What you’ll need

• Android 13 or later
• A supported device (Google Pixel 6 or newer, and/or Samsung Galaxy S21 or newer)

Steps

1. Open Settings (pull down the notification shade twice and tap the gear icon).
2. Go to Display & touch > Navigation mode.
3. At the bottom of the page, find Circle to Search and toggle it On.

You have to enable the feature before it’s available to use.

Using Circle to Search to avoid scams

1. Open your messaging app.
2. Long‑press the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen (or the Home button if you use three‑button navigation).
3. Draw a circle around the message you want to check.
4. Wait for the AI to analyze the text and display whether it’s suspicious.

If the AI flags the message as a scam, you’ll see a warning.

If the message is flagged, block and report it immediately. If the AI does not flag the message but you’re still uneasy, treat it with caution and verify the content independently—AI can make mistakes.

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From my experience, Circle to Search has been reliable for detecting scam messages, and I now use it as my default action for any incoming text that isn’t from a known contact. I highly recommend enabling and using this feature: when it tags a message as a scam, report it and delete it.